The history of yoga is a fascinating journey that began in ancient India more than 5,000 years ago.The story takes you on a journey through the history of yoga, starting with its roots in the Harappan Civilization, where early signs of meditation and spiritual practices were found. It then moves to the Vedic period, where yoga became a part of rituals and teachings, focusing on self-awareness and connection with the divine.
Next, it explores how Jainism and Buddhism used yoga for meditation, discipline, and achieving liberation. The story also touches on Sufism, where practices similar to yoga helped people connect with their inner self and a higher power.
In medieval times, yoga became more focused on physical and breathing techniques, as seen in practices like Hatha Yoga. Texts from this period, such as the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, played a key role in shaping modern yoga.
In its earliest days, yoga was part of the spiritual rituals of the indus valley civilization. Artifacts from this period, like seals depicting meditative poses, suggest that people valued the connection between the body and mind even then.
During the Vedic period, yoga began to take shape through the hymns and rituals of the Vedas. This was the time when ideas of discipline, meditation, and inner reflection became central.
The Upanishadic period deepened these philosophies, focusing on self-realization and the unity of the soul with the universe. The Bhagavad Gita, one of yoga’s cornerstone texts, emerged during this time, presenting paths of action, devotion, and knowledge to attain spiritual liberation.
The Classical period brought structure to yoga. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras systematized the practice into an eightfold path, or Ashtanga Yoga, which guides practitioners from ethical living to meditation and ultimate freedom.
Post-Classical yoga shifted its focus toward the physical body, giving rise to Hatha Yoga. Texts like the Hatha Yoga Pradipika introduced asanas (poses) and pranayama (breathwork), laying the foundation for the physical practices we associate with yoga today.
In modern times, yoga has become a global phenomenon. Indian masters like Swami Vivekananda and Krishnamacharya played key roles in sharing yoga with the world. Today, it’s practiced in many forms, blending ancient traditions with contemporary methods to promote health, mindfulness, and inner peace.
